Kuwait's biggest oil refinery is due to resume operating at its former production capacity of 430,000 barrels per day (bpd) in October 2002 following last year's devastating explosion, KUNA news agency reported Wednesday, November 21.

Kuwait National Petroleum Company refinery director Abdul Hadi Bu Sakhar told KUNA the refinery would increase its production capacity on completion of a filtration unit next September, which will yield an extra 120,000 bpd capacity.The refinery is currently producing 309,000 bpd.

Al-Ahmadi refinery, to the south of the capital, was completely shut down in June 2000 after an explosion that left seven dead and 50 injured. Production was partly restored the following month. — (AFP, Kuwait City)